By Lydia Legbo
Professor Matthew Omoniyi Adebola has emphasized the urgent need for establishing specialized plant disease clinics and health systems within universities and agricultural research institutes. These clinics would serve as training grounds for plant doctors and scientists, equipping them to provide farmers with expert advice on plant health issues.
During his 110th Inaugural Lecture titled ‘Fungi and Mankind: For Better Or Worse, No Retreat, No Surrender,’ presented at the Federal University of Technology Minna on August 1, 2024, Prof. Adebola, a Professor of Plant Biology specializing in Plant Pathology/Mycology, stressed the importance of such initiatives. He highlighted that his mission, “healthy plants for healthy people,” underscores the critical connection between plant health and human well-being.
Prof. Matthew explained that these clinics would bridge the gap between research, extension services, and farmers, ensuring continuous and reliable technical support and advice. “The clinic will create durable plant health services for those who need them most, improve the advice agrochemical dealers often give farmers in their shops, increase awareness of current and emerging crop threats, reduce pesticide use, improve livelihoods, and create better food security,” he stated.
He further argued that establishing plant clinics is crucial for addressing the challenges in plant pathology, which include reducing food losses, improving food quality, and safeguarding the environment. With the world’s population on the rise and arable land diminishing, effective and safe control of plant diseases is essential for feeding the growing global population.
Photo credit: Elijah Yisa